Gardening to Help Others

Support the Lifeline Food Pantry

By Muriel Nelson

Are you planning your summer garden yet?  It’s a good time to start thinking about it even though our spring weather has been a bit patchy, or should I say normal for this time of year in our area?!

As you decide what you’ll be growing this summer, why not give some thought to putting in a few extra plants.  That way, if you grow more than you need, you can share the extra produce with Lifeline Food Pantry, be it corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, squash, zucchini……just about anything! 

Like last year, the food pantry will appreciate receiving garden produce that it then makes available to its clients. However, this year may be a bit different, that is, the food pantry has been notified that food supplies from government-based programs may not be available. Or, if they are, this essential support may be reduced. If that happens, extra vegetables from our gardens will have an even greater impact than in previous years.

The Lifeline Food Pantry obtains food from the St. Croix Valley Food Bank, the government’s Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) that also supplies institutions such as schools and hospitals, and not to be overlooked, from local donations. Local donations come from food drives, individual contributions and as mentioned, crops and garden-based produce.

Kim Patterson and Diane Viau manage the Lifeline Food Pantry and its many volunteers. While they remain optimistic about the coming months, they also realize that support from the government and funding from social service agencies may not be as robust as in the past. If so, the food bank will need to look elsewhere for food and no doubt will need to buy more items to stock the shelves.

Kim mentioned they actively look for grants and have received several, including from the Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative’s Operation Round Up program.  In addition, Diane and Kim are grateful for the many donations from the community, be it groceries or financial support.  Special thanks go to those in the community who generously donate on a regular basis.

Kim noted that “any donation is a good donation.” By that she means that money is especially helpful because Lifeline Food Pantry’s purchasing power is greater than an individual’s. At the same time, donations of canned goods, paper and personal products, and soaps and detergents are equally appreciated. The food bank needs a variety of staples for the clients but also welcomes receiving an occasional “snack” that their shoppers will particularly enjoy. (Think of chips, popcorn and other goodies!). Of course, donors should remember that the main focus is to provide nutritious food to the many who seek help from the food bank.

The community is fortunate to have the Lifeline Food Pantry ready to serve those in need of food.  Likewise, the food pantry appreciates the cooperation and support of the community that entrusts and supports the organization with this vital task. Diane and Kim encourage anyone who cannot afford food to contact the Lifeline Food Pantry for assistance, whether the need is for a few weeks or long-term. 

The Lifeline Food Pantry is located at the Clear Lake Area Community Center at 560 5th St. The food pantry is open on Wednesday 1:00-5:00 pm and Thursday 10:00 am-2:00 pm; enter from the South Parking Lot. The phone number is 715-263-3846; mailing address - P.O. Box 86, Clear Lake, WI  54005. Check their Facebook page for useful information too.  

Getting back to the original suggestion of planting extra in our gardens this year….Kim noted in a Facebook posting that ‘The excitement on the faces of people receiving [fresh produce] is priceless!’, so let’s think about putting smiles on some faces. If you grow vegetables, keep the Lifeline Food Pantry in mind should you have more than you can use. It will be appreciated far more than you know!